Messages reminding dog walkers to pick up after their pooches have been spray painted on paths throughout a Highbridge park.
The initiative, launched by the Friends of Apex Park and backed by Sedgemoor District Council on March 6, is part of a wider campaign by the group to raise awareness of dog fouling in the town and encourage dog owners to be responsible and pick up their pets’ waste.
The group accompanied one of the council’s dog wardens on a walk around Apex Park and sprayed stencils on pathways to remind dog walkers to pick up after their animals or face a fine. The initiative also aims to highlight the harm dog excrement can cause humans. Sedgemoor’s dog wardens regularly patrol Apex Park and ‘hot spots’ in the district and can issue a £100 fixed penalty if they see owners failing to pick up after their pets.
Claire Faun, Sedgemoor District Council’s corporate relations manager said: “It has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million faecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhoea, intestinal illness and serious kidney disorders in humans. It can also cause blindness.
“Toxocariasis is an illness found in humans that occurs when they are infected with parasitic roundworms, originating from the faecal matter of dogs.
“E.coli is another, and, for those with weakened immune systems, the infection can result in death.”
“Not only is dog fouling a recognised form of anti-social behaviour, it can also get you a sizeable fine from the council.
“Due to the nature of modern diets for dogs, dog poop is very high in harmful bacteria.”
She added:“Simply bagging and binning dog poo makes a real difference.
“It keeps our parks, streets and coastal environment clean, safeguards the health of beach and water users and protects our bathing water.
“Dog poo can be binned in both poo bins, as well as general waste bins.
“There are 240 dog bins across Sedgemoor district – and all get emptied at least twice a week. The ones in popular spots such as Burnham and parks get emptied on a daily basis.”
North Somerset Council last week reminded dog walkers they risk being fined if they commit dog-fouling offences in and around Weston.
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